Display device



y 8, 3 J. LEIGH 2,081,012

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed May 5, 193a I 7 v N 1N VENTO Mike/n 0.1g Leigh W' I I O;

AORNEY.

Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY DEVICE Application May 5, 1936, Serial- No. 77,905

4 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to display devices.

While the present invention is intended primarily for use with the cardboard type of knockdown device, which is adapted to be displayed ina store window or on a counter or the like, nevertheless it will be understood that certain phases of the invention are not restricted to a display device of this particular character. An object of the invention is to provide an improved and highly attractive display structure by means of which a stream of flowing liquid may be effectively depicted. My invention is thus of particular applicability to displays advertising paints, oils, and the like, although it will be understood that the novel features of the present device are equally applicable to any display in which it is desired to depict a stream of flowing liquid. By way of example, I have herein illustrated and shall hereinafter describe a display device of the present character by means of which a I brand of paint is advertised. Paint is typical of the viscous liquids whose depiction, in the form of a flowing stream or streams, may be strikingly effected by the present invention.

My invention is predicated upon the discovery that a concave blank of cardboard or the like, having a colored surface of high lustre, preferno ably composed of colored metallic foil, is peculiarly effective in producing a variegated sheen similar to that which is produced by a flowing stream of colored viscous liquid, such as paint or oil. My present invention enhances this effect by positioning a concave member of this character behind an opening in a panel, the opening having the contour and configuration of a flowing stream. The eifect is enhanced still further by providing on the panel a depiction of 40 the source of the flowing stream.

Another feature of my invention lies in providing a panel portion which projects into the opening and hence apparently into the path of the flowing stream of liquid. On this portion 45 I depict something which is apparently subjected to the action of the liquid.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in 50 the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a front view of a display device embodying the features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of Figure 1;

55 Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig-' ure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 1; and 5 Figure 5 is a rear View of the display device with a portion omitted for the sake of cl-earness.

A front panel l0 having any suitable configuration is adapted to be supported in substantially upright position by means of any usual type of 10- rear prop II. On the front face of the panel any suitable advertising indicia may be provided, and, among other things, the panel bears a depiction of the source of a stream of flowing liquid.

In the illustrated embodiment, the panel has 15 portions l2 and I3 which depict cans of paint tipped so as to permit the contents to pour out. of them. In the proper relationship to these depictions the panel is provided with the openings l4 and I5, each of which has approximately 20 the contour of the stream of liquid which would flow from the cans l2 and I3. In each case, so far as the present illustrative example is concerned, the contour of the opening is that of a falling stream of gradually increasing width. 25

In accordance with my present invention, a blank of cardboard or the like, designated by the reference numeral I6, is arranged behind the opening [4 and is flexed into conformity with the surface of a cone whose apex is directed upwardly. One edge of the blank [6 is permanently hinged, by a connecting strip H, to the rear face of the panel l0 adjacent to one longitudinal edge of the opening I l. The opposite edge of the blank I6 is removably braced beneath an abutment strip I8 which is adhesively secured to the back of the panel l0 adjacent to the opposite edge of the opening [4. The blank I6 is so shaped, and the strips H and I8 are so arranged, that when the free edge of the blank I6 is disengaged it may lie flat against the rear of the panel II), as indicated in dot-and-dash lines in Figure 4; and when the blank [6 is braced beneath the abutment strip l8, it is thereby flexed into conformity with a conical surface.

Essentially, it is to be noted that the blank 16 is concave. The conical configuration is preferable in connection with an opening I4 depicting a falling stream of diverging width, but, obviously, the blank It may under different circumstances be concaved in various ways.

The front surface of the blank I6 is colored and of high lustre, and the best result is obtained by coating this surface with colored metallic foil. The effect which is produced is unique and striking, because the flexed metallic foil partakes of a variegated sheen and gloss which is remarkably similar to the reflective properties of a stream of actual liquid.

In the device illustrated in the drawing, it is preferable to have the blank I6 provided with a front surface of one color and to have the corresponding blank |9 (similarly arranged behind the opening l5) of a different color; although it will be understood that the invention does not require the depiction of two separate streams, nor do the streams necessarily have to be of different colors.

The attractive appearance of the device is enhanced further by providing on the panel one or more portions which project across or into the openings. I have illustratively shown portions 20 projecting part-way into the opening l4, and portions 2| similarly projecting into the opening l5. These portions are preferably integral with the panel ID, as will be observed upon viewing Figure 5. Each one of these portions forms part of a depiction, on the front of a panel, of something which is apparently subjected to the action of the flowing stream of liquid. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, one of the portions 2] is part of a picture of a table 22; and the other portion 2! is part of a picture of another article of furniture 23. Preferably, the projecting portions 2! are colored corresponding to the color of the. stream into which they apparently project. The display thus depicts an article or thing which is apparently subjected to the action of the flowing liquid, and in the illustrated device the articles of furniture 22 and 23 are shown as they would appear after being coated with the paint from the can l3.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a large variety of different effects may be produced by means of the present invention,

and that it is by no means restricted to the depiction of paint.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, herein described and illustrated 15 for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention, may be made by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a display device, a panel depicting the source of a flowing stream of liquid, said panel having an opening with irregularly curved side edges conforming substantially to the contour of said stream, and a concave element behind said opening and having a colored surface of high lustre, said element having rectilinear side edges arranged behind and out of alignment with said,

curved side edges so as to be concealed by the latter.

2. In a display device, a panel depicting the source of a downwardly widening flowing stream a viscous liquid such as paint, said panel having an opening with irregularly curved side edges conforming substantially to the contour of said stream, and a concave element behind said open ing and having a colored surface of high lustre, said element comprising a cardboard blank flexed into conformity with the surface of a cone Whose narrower portion is behind the narrower portion of said opening, and said element having rectilinear side edges arranged behind and out of alignment with said curved side edges so as to be concealed by the latter.

3. In a display device, the elements set forth in claim 1, in combination with a panel portion projecting into said opening and hence apparently into the path of said stream, said portion bearing a depiction of something subjected to 'the action of said stream.

4. In a display device, the elements set forth in claim 2, in combination with a panel portion projecting into said opening and hence apparently into the path of said stream, said portion bearing a depiction of something subjected to the action of said stream.

NATHAN JOSEPH LEIGH. 

